Transient

/ˈtræn.zi.ənt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a person who is staying or working in a place for only a short time.

The shelter provides services for transients who need a place to stay for the night.

a phenomenon or event that is temporary or short-lived.

The transients created by the brief power outage caused minor disruptions in the system.

adjective

lasting only for a short time; temporary.

The transient beauty of the sunset captivated everyone.

not permanent; remaining only briefly.

They took up transient residence in the city while looking for a more permanent home.

From Latin 'transiens', present participle of 'transire' which means 'to go across or beyond'.

transient nature

The quality of being temporary or short-lived.

transient lifestyle

A way of living that involves moving often and not staying in one place.

transient population

A group of people who are not permanent residents in a location.

transience

The state of lasting for a very short time.

transit

The process of being transported.

transitory

Existing only briefly.

A short-term stay, often used in the context of living arrangements.

He's just a transient in town, won't be here long.

Someone who frequently moves from place to place.

She's a transient, always hopping from one city to another.